S.F. utilities commissioners approve streamlined GoSolarSF payments, urge more outreach to low‑income communities

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission on Dec. 18 voted to revise its GoSolarSF solar‑incentive program to speed payments to applicants, allow manufacturers and distributors to receive city incentive checks, and lower some residential incentive levels while seeking Board approval to boost the program’s low‑income add‑on.

Barbara Hale, assistant general manager for power, told commissioners the program has produced roughly a 1‑megawatt increase in installed capacity since the city launched GoSolarSF in July and that applications are geographically dispersed, with one notable concentration of 47 residential applications in zip code 94110. Hale said program administrators recommend triggering payments earlier in the process to reduce installers’ cash‑flow burdens and to keep projects moving instead of waiting for California Solar Initiative confirmation.

"We'd like to be able to pay them as early as we can, while still being comfortable and confident that we have an installed system," Hale said, arguing earlier payments would prevent installers from being forced to carry multiple, delayed receivables.

Hale also proposed expanding the list of…